Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1887-02-12
Married bY Proxy.

CHICAGO Ill, Feb. 1.-The announcement
was made this evening that August Spies and
Miss Nina Van Zandt had been married. by
proxy, the groom being represented By his
brother. A suburban justice Of the peace ofici-
ateG.
When Sheriff Matson, about two weeks ago,
issued the order to the Offias of the county
jail not tO admit Miss Van Zandt TO see Spies,
L was thought that the matter was settled.
but 1t now appears that neither of the couple
abandoned their purpose The laws about
marrying by letter and marriage by proxy
we're looked up, but nothing was found except
N regard 10 marriage by proxy. This was
inally decided upon, AMI Justice Englehardt
in the town Of jefferson, whose name figured
N the papers durn. the late months of the
past wear as denouneng the verdict of the
anarchist trial in public speeches, was consult
ed. He gave it as his opinion that mar
riagc by proxy would be binding In law II the
proxy was made out in due legal form. He
was commissioned 10 draw up form of proxy
and spent considerable time in making it con-
.orm to what he thought was the law in the
case.
The document was ready last Friday, and
early Saturday Miss Van Zandt and
Gretchen Spies. the sister of August, went
to Jefferson aud called on Justice Englehardt
to get the proxy, and having secured the doc.
ument, went direct TO the county jail with It.
They met the wife of Spies brother Ferdinand
and Mrs. Wendland. Miss Van Zandt's three
companions witnessed the signature of Spies
10 tine document, by which be gave full au-
horty to his brother, Henry W. Spies, TO rep
resent him at the ceremony. Mrs. Ferdinand
spies and NJ SIS Gretchen Spies signed the
paper 10 witness August Spies signature.
Then the whole party, except Spies himself,
vent with Ferdinand Spies to Justice Engle-
hardts office on Milwaukee avenue, in the
town Of Jefferson. They were reinforced on
he way BY Mrs. Van Zandt's parents and
Henry and Chris Spies, brothers of August.
The journey 10 Justice Englehardt's office was
made on foot. IL was after 5 O'Clock Satur-
lay night by this time. The justice again
Examined his law books, and then the cere-
nony was performed Henry Spies answered
20 the name Of August Vincent Theodore
spies. and under this name was married 10
Miss Van Iandt The bride and her parents
vent from the Office of the Justice 20 the home
If Mr.. and Mrs. Ferdinand Spies. not far dis
tabt and remained there over night
The license has not vet been returned to the
county clerk as required bY law. lt was is
ued only three weeks ago, however. and the
hirty days allowed for its return have not vet
xpired. Jnstice Englehardt is authority for
he statement that the marriage was perform
ed.
SPIES declined 10 speak Of the ceremony,
ND Miss Van Zandt refused to be interviewed
even TO be seen. Her father also declined
talk, but did not deny the fact of the mar
aye.
Sheriff Matson expressed great surprise and
hen promptly said: Il would not consider a
arce like that marriage unless pronounced
20 by competent legal authority. The alleged
CEREMONY will not, IN nv judgment, change
be relations Of the parties. IL this action was
iaSen for the purpose of compelling me "a
onsent to the visits OF Miss Van Zandt to the
il, IL is mistaken course and will not avail,
There is no obligation even If she was his law
-ui wife to let her visit Spies, who is nv pris-
ner. Allowing wives to visit their imprisoned
susbands is merely a matter Of courtesy
Opinions from leading attorneys as to the
legality of marriage by proxy vary somewhat.
Nearly all OF the lawyers in the city are Of the
belief that it is illegal. Leonard SWEET. senior
counsel for SDies and his fellow anarchists,
$ decidedly Of that opinion. Mr.. Zeiser, an.
other Of the anarchist counsel takes the op
posite view and thinks the ceremony binding.